Flexible MRI Receive Coil Array With Spacers for Body Conformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional RF receive coils in MRI systems are bulky and rigid, limiting their ability to efficiently couple with the anatomy of the imaging subject and causing discomfort, necessitating multiple coils for different body parts.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance coil device with an array of flexible receive coils sandwiched between outer layers, featuring overlapping coils with spacers allowing for bending and movement, and optionally including flexible foam and textile layers for enhanced flexibility and air circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional RF receive coils are used, then the coil structure is stable and easy to manufacture, but the coil is bulky and rigid, preventing efficient coupling with the anatomy and causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The coil array is divided into multiple individual coil elements that can independently overlap and conform to body contours. Each coil element is a separate unit that can be positioned and oriented independently, allowing the entire array to adapt to various anatomical shapes while maintaining a relatively simple individual coil design.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil array is designed to be flexible and dynamic rather than rigid. The coils can bend and deform to match the contours of different body parts, transforming from a fixed rigid structure to an adaptable flexible configuration that conforms to the imaging subject's anatomy.
2Reliability
If multiple specialized coils are used for different body parts, then the coupling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and number of coils increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single flexible coil array design serves multiple body parts and imaging situations through its ability to bend and conform to different anatomical shapes. The same coil array structure can be adapted for imaging various body parts by adjusting its configuration, eliminating the need for multiple specialized rigid coils.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical configuration parameters of the coil array (such as its shape, curvature, and spatial arrangement) can be changed to match different body parts. By varying these parameters, the same coil array achieves optimal coupling efficiency for different anatomical regions without requiring physically different coil designs.
3Ease of operation
If rigid coil arrays are used, then the coil position is stable, but the imaging process is uncomfortable and the coils cannot adapt to different body parts
Solution Approach 1:
The coil array employs flexible structures that can bend and conform to body contours while maintaining their functional integrity. These flexible coil elements can adapt to the subject's body shape for comfort, yet remain stable enough to maintain proper positioning and overlap during the imaging process.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a magnetic resonance coil device comprising a flexible array (100) with multiple magnetic resonance receive coils (440). According to the invention, a magnetic resonance coil device for a magnetic resonance system is provided, comprising an array (100) with multiple magnetic resonance receive coils (400) which are configured for receiving a magnetic resonance radiofrequency signal, and two outer layers (200, 201), wherein the magnetic resonance receive coils (400) are arranged between the outer layers (200, 201) in such a way that at least some of the magnetic resonance receive coils (400) each partly overlap with at least one other neighboring magnetic resonance receive coil (400) so that respective overlapping regions between two respective neighboring magnetic resonance receive coils (400) are formed, wherein within at least some of these overlapping regions at least one spacer (300) is arranged, respectively, and wherein at least one of the outer layers is flexible. In this way, a versatile magnetic resonance coil device for a magnetic resonance system with an array (100) of multiple magnetic resonance receive coils (400) is provided which can be easily adapted to the shape of different parts of the human body.